The anterior cervical plate.

The anterior cervical plate was employed routinely in 13 anterior cervical fusions in adults at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont (MCHV) from October 1979 to December 1980. A method for installation of the implant is presented. Review of these patients shows that the 11 survivors have satisfactory alignment of their cervical spines, with adequately evolving fusions. Technical problems include plate position and screw depth. This demanding method is now reserved for special indications.